A Slave in the White House

2012-02-20T17:03:24-05:00https://images.c-span.org/Files/7e0/304265-m.jpgElizabeth Dowling Taylor recounts the life of Paul Jennings, born into slavery on the plantation of James and Dolley Madison in 1799 and later a member of the household staff of President Madison. The author used correspondence, legal documents, and journal entries rarely seen before to report on Mr. Jennings' life as a slave in the White House and his relationship with James and Dolley Madison. Upon gaining his freedom in 1847, Mr. Jennings was involved in the Pearl Affair, the largest, single slave escape ever attempted, and he authored the first White House memoir. Ms. Taylor responded to questions from members of the audience at this “Books and Beyond” presentation in the Mumford Room of the James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.

A Slave in the White HouseElizabeth Dowling Taylor recounts the life of Paul Jennings, born into slavery on the plantation of James and Dolley Madison in 1799 and later a member of the household staff of President Madison. The author used correspondence, legal documents, and journal entries rarely seen before to report on Mr. Jennings' life as a slave in the White House and his relationship with James and Dolley Madison. Upon gaining his freedom in 1847, Mr. Jennings was involved in the Pearl Affair, the largest, single slave escape ever attempted, and he authored the first White House memoir. Ms. Taylor responded to questions from members of the audience at this “Books and Beyond” presentation in the Mumford Room of the James Madison Building of the Library of Congress. close